NBA: March 20, 2007

With 7-foot Chinese center Yi Jianlian projected as a top 10 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, the Sixers are among the teams that have sent a contingent to scout him in person. -- Philadelphia Daily News

Although the timing because of the NBA playoffs would seem a major problem, insiders say Pistons coach Flip Saunders remains a possibility to take the University of Minnesota job. -- St. Paul Pioneer Press

Larry Brown is not under consideration to succeed Bernie Bickerstaff on the Bobcats' sidelines next season. The idea is to hire an Avery Johnson-Nate McMillan-Sam Mitchell Type-A personality coach. -- New York Post

Jerry Stackhouse knows the Mavericks have been a wonderful fit for him and he has shown the rest of the league that he can be a huge factor on a championship caliber team. He'd like to stay in Dallas, but if somebody comes calling with an upgraded role and big paycheck, my gut tells me he's gone. -- Dallas Morning News

Magic guard Keyon Dooling can opt out of his contract after the season but doesn't plan to test free-agency. -- Orlando Sentinel

One way to make sure the Suns play faster offensively than they did in their past two games, both blowout losses, is to put perhaps the league's fastest player on the court. For tonight's game against the Timberwolves, the Suns will give combo guard Leandro Barbosa his first start since a Feb. 28. Barbosa takes forward Boris Diaw's spot in the lineup. -- Arizona Republic

The Suns pursued swingman Jalen Rose when they were having some struggles in the first few games of the season. Now, after the season's worst consecutive losses, they again will call on Rose for help. Rose, who stayed in the rotation only for November, will get those type of minutes again tonight. -- Arizona Republic

Hampered by a lingering ankle injury, Luke Walton has consulted with an expert on the subject. No, not a specialist. His father. Bill Walton had the potential to be one of the all-time great NBA centers had not foot injuries severely limited his career. Determined not to see a similar fate befall his son, Bill has preached caution, caution, caution. -- Los Angeles Times

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